Cross-scale physics and the acceleration of particles in collisionless plasmas throughout the Heliosphere and beyond: III. Radiation belts

Radiation belt systems are found at all the sufficiently magnetized and sized planets in our Solar System (i.e., Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), implying that particle trapping and acceleration in magnetospheric systems is a universal process.We should be conducting more advanced comparative systems science at these accessible radiation belt systems to understand the distinctive and universal processes at each.Future exploration of Earth's radiation belts should focus on comprehensive MLT coverage, increased conjunctions with multiple spacecraft separated along the same field line in magnetic latitude, and reaching apogees around L ~8 in the near-equatorial plane.A dedicated mission to study the distinctive and universal origins, acceleration mechanisms, and loss processes in Jupiter's extreme radiation environment should be considered as a top priority for NASA's Heliophysics community.Whenever possible, dedicated or mission-of-opportunity payloads should be included on Heliophysics and Planetary missions that allow for observations of radiation belt systems throughout the Solar System.Finally, the Decadal Committee should consider recommending to NASA a model for interdivisional (i.e., within NASA-SMD) cost sharing of new missions with cross-divisional science relevance.